A Jefferson County lawmaker on Thursday introduced a bill in the Alabama Legislature to allow Jefferson County municipalities to issue car tags -- a move aimed at helping reduce lines at the county courthouse.

State Rep. Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood, said the bill would authorize a mayor to assign an employee or city official to process the renewal of motor vehicle license plates for residents in their city.

"This will provide more locations for citizens to renew their car tags, thus making it easier for citizens of Jefferson County to get that service and reduce the lines at the courthouse," DeMarco said. "Seventy to eighty percent of those in lines are simply renewing their car tags."

The lines have become more of a concern for county officials in recent weeks. Last month, a man collapsed in line. This week, county officials reported a fight in line that required intervention by a nearby Birmingham police officer.

County Manager Tony Petelos said tempers are starting to flare. "As summertime rolls around and bad weather rolls around, it's going to get worse," he said. "People are frustrated and they are aggravated."

County officials say the best way to shorten the lines is to have lawmakers restore funding to allow the county to bring back workers in the revenue department and other areas. County officials are seeking legislative help in the form of money to replace the county's defunct occupational tax.

"We need funding," Commissioner Jimmie Stephens said.

With or without additional funding, DeMarco said the bill makes car tag renewal more accessible for area residents. The bill is permissive, which means cities can decide whether they want to participate, he said.

"It's more convenient for citizens to go to the different municipalities around Jefferson County as opposed to the downtown or Bessemer courthouses," DeMarco said. "The county has closed the satellite courthouses."

Because of financial woes, the county has closed four satellite locations and laid off hundreds of workers, making long lines for car tags and other services the norm.

DeMarco said he met with officials at the Alabama Department of Revenue to discuss the hardware and software needed to begin the service and any training of workers that may be needed.

Cities would get a fee for issuing the tags, he said.

"That would make sense," DeMarco said. "That money would go to those actually doing the work. In that case, it would go to the city."

County officials said DeMarco's bill may help with the lines but could cost the county.

Petelos said the cash-strapped county makes a flat fee of $1.25 per vehicle for each car tag and that money would go to a city issuing that tag. "If we have to give that money up, then we haven't accomplished anything," Petelos said. "If we're going to do that, let's just hire some more people here and reopen the Center Point satellite courthouse.

"But there are other issues ... Who owns the computers and the equipment? Who sets all of that up? If we have to do all of that let's just do it here and open Center Point up."

Petelos said the county owns the building where the former Center Point satellite courthouse once operated. Commissioners have discussed hiring back auditors and other workers that would enable the building to reopen.

"That would help this line dramatically," Petelos said.

Some mayors in the county like DeMarco's idea of their cities issuing the tags.

Midfield Mayor Gary Richardson said his only question is with the 1 percent collection fee. For a $100 tag, that would amount to $1 and would probably cost the city more for the employee than the money it would receive, he said.

Helping hand

Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto "Butch" Zaragoza said area mayors have discussed helping the county by taking on the responsibility of issuing car tags. "We want to do what we can to help," he said.

Fultondale Mayor Jim Lowery said he was one of the first mayors to suggest that Jefferson County cities help with car tags.

"If there is anything we can do to help make things better, we are willing to do that," he said. "I think, all and all, the Mayor's Association has the same attitude."

Gardendale Mayor Othell Phillips agreed.

"The idea as a whole sounds great to try to ease the burden on our citizens, although there are still a lot of unanswered questions concerning logistics, staffing and funding," he said. "It is a work in progress, and hopefully something will be resolved soon."

Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey said the idea has a lot of possibilities and what's needed most is to get the lines down so people can get back to work.

News staff writers William Singleton, Lisa Osburn, Toraine Norris and Val Walton contributed to this article. Join the conversation by clicking to comment or email Wright at bwright@bhamnews.com.